New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-16
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL BAG.
MR.. oLMsrED AND THE PARK BOARD.


TO the Editor or TIE Tribune.
SIR: Ihave received from NewYork sever oil letters.
four coming by the last mall asking for Information ~
the matter Of certain published reports that have
parently made impression not believe designed BY
those Issuing them II may be thought Of sufficient pub
c interest that should make the following statement:
During the last and the present year have made elk
brief visits to NewYork each the official request
OF tho president for the time being OF the Park Depart
ment. At each Of these visits my opinion has been
sought upon particular questions Of design and manage
ment Al EACH ALSO have been advised that Commits
soners desired to make some engagement with me OF
continuous character At time at the request Of the
Commissioners. submitted proposition which had In
view the employment Of Mr. vsux and myself as land
scape architecs was informed that this proposto
was satisfactory to the commissioners ana then OBJ
tanned Mr. vauxs assent TO It, having previously avoided
confcrence with him at the req lest OF the Com mission
For that have no, been officially com nuai-
Gated IT, me the engagement has never been formally
concluded
On April was informally asked to Wis
IL New-York for conference In regard to
improvements Of Riverside Mornngside anu
Central Parks. but being otherwise engaged aud not
being in the employment Of tho Department declined
tho invitation.
Shortly afterward I was advised Of my appointment
as landscape architect and later attended meeting OF
the Board which, my advice having boon asked upon
several questions OF design pointed out that ndltions
that had before stated would be necessary to my re-
employment had provided for aui that no CON-
peusaton for my services had been named. had not.
therefore. accepted tho appointment Subsequently
stated that should not undec circumstances give
advice respect tho Central Park except In assoca
ton Mr. vaux and suggested that the plan for the
unemployment Of Mr.. vaux aud myself, which ut the
request Of Commissioners had prepared and which tho
Board had the previous year shoui be again
considered Upon this the meeting adjourned
r atfaAN Ma .XnrK nj n RI
quest of the and spent several hours at
their office There ut tho time no meeting OF the
Board but majority OF tho members were present as
we'll several gentlemen interested In real estate that
board drs wing of ths original plan OF Morningsito
Park was set out together with series OF CRAVINGS
showing p ms that have since been adopted and upon
wi the spirit of the orr FINAL plan. the latter being
much costly Inquiries aud suggestions
were also presented TO me Implying tnat tue 20 mis-
sioners presumed that the original pau "ouu nave
had said that wished to leave at certain time In
order to meet an engagement shl as tno houI up
preached, ut tho request or COMMISSIONED "toto
upon o. what sort o An arrange uenI
II might be expected lin case the previously considered
arrange not ptabe) Mr.. Vsux anu wouid
undertake plans for Riverside AMI Mornihg,ide
The paper was purely memorandum 10 servo pro
the suggested IL said that II IL was
ght mont or thA en- ar 'cter wncn ID
would suit the views OF tue Board better than
that pre-, iousy under sdsrat on. II IL w'ui let me
know would make more definite proposal that wouiu
probably be moro satisfactory to them. commissioner
Hutchin. was Dot then present Inc TWO oomissouors
who said they thought sonshing might be done on
the basis suggested, aud took leave.
= have since heard ,thiny upon the mater. except
through the press and there have been statements IN
the pre-, that There has been nothing IN
the subject OF the parks for years pas tnat
with INV signature. FREpERiCk LA" ObhSiSD
Brookiine, Mass, July Ia, 1887